This has come up several times where I work. There is a distinction between service animal and emotional support animal and the Americans with Disabilities Act does not recognize emotional support dogs. Below are some highlights from an FAQ section on the governments website along with a link
• Only Dogs are recognized by the ADA as service animals – Any breed.
• A service animal is a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
• You must allow service animals access to all areas of the store that the general public is allowed.
• A dog whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support does not qualify as a service animal under the ADA.
• Under the ADA a service animal must be leashed, harnessed or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
• When it is not obvious what service the animal performs only limited inquireies are allowed. 1) Is the dog a service animal required becasuse of a disability and 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to do.
• Allergies or fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access.
• A person with a service dog cannot be asked to remove their dog unless 1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or 2) The dog is not house broken.
• When there is a legitimate reason to ask the that a service animal be removed staff must offer the person with a disability the opportunity to obtain service without the animals presence.
• Only Dogs are recognized by the ADA as service animals – Any breed.
• A service animal is a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
• You must allow service animals access to all areas of the store that the general public is allowed.
• A dog whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support does not qualify as a service animal under the ADA.
• Under the ADA a service animal must be leashed, harnessed or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
• When it is not obvious what service the animal performs only limited inquireies are allowed. 1) Is the dog a service animal required becasuse of a disability and 2) What work or task has the dog been trained to do.
• Allergies or fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access.
• A person with a service dog cannot be asked to remove their dog unless 1) the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it or 2) The dog is not house broken.
• When there is a legitimate reason to ask the that a service animal be removed staff must offer the person with a disability the opportunity to obtain service without the animals presence.
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